I have
revised this
Weakness
The photoelectric effect
Strength
EM radiation &
quantum phenomena
Covered in
class
PHYA1 3.1.2
I can do this
already
AS Physics:
what you need to know
Book
references
I can describe an experiment to demonstrate the photoelectric effect.
AQA: 30;
APfY: 166
I understand that the photoelectric effect provides evidence for the
particle-nature of light (electromagnetic radiation).
AQA: 31;
APfY: 166
I understand that a photon is a quantum (‘particle’) of electromagnetic
energy.
AQA: 8 & 31;
APfY: 166
I can calculate the energy of a photon using 𝑬 = 𝒉𝒇 or =
the Planck constant.
𝒉𝒄

, where h is
I can explain the meaning of the term ‘work function’ (φ).
I can explain the meaning of the term ‘threshold frequency’ (f0).
I can recall and use Einstein’s photoelectric equation (hf = φ + 𝑬𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒙 ).
AQA: 31;
APfY: 167
AQA: 31;
APfY: 168
AQA: 30;
APfY: 168
AQA: 31
APfY: 169
Collisions of electrons with atoms
I can explain the meaning of the term ‘electronvolt’ (eV).
AQA: 35;
APfY: 165
I can explain the meaning of the term ‘ionisation’.
AQA: 34;
APfY: 180
I can explain the meaning of the term ‘excitation’.
AQA: 35;
I can use the terms ionisation and excitation to explain how a fluorescent
tube works.
AQA: 37; APfY:
339 & 340
Energy levels and photon emission
I can describe three types of spectra.
AQA: 39;
APfY: 178 &
182
I can explain the meaning of the term ‘line spectrum’.
AQA: 39;
APfY: 178
I can explain what line spectra tell us about the structure of atoms.
AQA: 36 & 39;
APfY: 180 &
181
I can use the equation hf = E1 – E2 to calculate the energy of photons
emitted or absorbed by a particular atom.
AQA: 39;
APfY: 181
Wave-particle duality
I can describe experimental evidence for the wave-nature of particles (and
compare this with the photoelectric effect).
I can calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a particle using  =
where mv is the momentum of the particle.
𝒉
𝒎𝒗
,
AQA: 41 & 42;
APfY: 170
AQA: 42;
APfY: 171
Book references: AQA = AQA Physics A by Breithaupt (Pub. Nelson Thornes) – the AQA endorsed textbook
APfY = Advanced physics for you by Johnson, Hewett, Holt and Miller (Pub. Nelson Thornes)